Motor Learning And Virtual Reality In Down Syndrome - A Literature Review

Abstract

Down syndrome (DS) is caused by trisomy of human chromosome 21 (Hsa21) and results in a large number of phenotypes including learning difficulties, cardiac defects and distinguishing facial features. The purpose of this study was to analyse research findings about "motor learning" and "virtual reality" in patients with DS. Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed, Web of Science and BVS (virtual library in health). Using key words, we searched for articles that included Down syndrome, virtual reality, and motor learning. Only studies on humans were eligible. The search identified seven relevant papers. Most studies showed that individuals with Down syndrome are able to learn new tasks, and that improvements can be enhanced via the use of virtual reality. We conclude that individuals with Down syndrome respond positively and effectively, with improvements in sensory motor control, when stimulated with tasks that are complementary to conventional therapy, including therapy involving virtual reality.

Effect of virtual reality therapy, combined with physiotherapy for improving motor proficiency in individuals with Down syndrome: A systematic review

“…Physiotherapy interventions include approximation, strengthening, cardiovascular and balance exercises (Dodd & Shields 2005;Hardee & Fetters 2017;Li et al 2013). Body weight support and treadmill training have also been found to accelerate walking development (De Menezes et al 2015), whilst physiotherapy interventions based on vibration therapy have a positive effect on balance (Ruiz-González et al 2019). The above-mentioned activities combined with family education, community integration and home-based activities aim to improve the overall function and QOL in such individuals (De Morais et al 2016).…”

Maze computer performance in Down syndrome

“…Menezes et al 24 conducted a systematic review about motor learning and concluded that motor learning in individuals with Down's syndrome can occur following different tasks, allowing better motor control and specifi c skills often independently of the knowledge of results (KR), and is more effective in the presence of visual feedback and self-control.…”

Pain characterization in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

“…After that, the researchers agreed which articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria 10,11,12 . The abstracts of identified articles were screened for the following inclusion criteria (Table 1): (1) included a population with a diagnosis of DMD, and (2) pain assessment in this population.…”

“…Inclusion criteria included the investigation of pain in patients with DMD as the main focus of the study and/or quantifying pain in patients with DMD. The last step was an analysis of the full text of eligible works 10,11 . To increase confidence in article selection, two researchers reviewed all the potentially relevant articles independently.…”

“…The number of participants in studies is important to adequately portray the population. However, considering studies with disabled patients, most samples are by convenience 11 . Furthermore, Lager et al 1 and Guy-Coichard et al 7 presented data from DMD and Becker muscular dystrophy patients analyzed together (n = 38 and 128, respectively).…”